Discussion Board

Sksamboots and Talkingmountain, thanks for the encouragement. TM, believe me, I have learned the hard way, what happens when I don't plan my food intake!

Today I'm going to make the kale-potato-mushroom dish from the October Newsletter.

This weekend I am going to fly out to visit one of our children, who lives on the east coast. Food-wise, the trip will involve avoiding airline food, and making correct choices in restaurants. My hotel room will have a little kitchenette, so I plan on buying potatoes, spinach, shredded cabbage, canned beans, oatmeal and fruit on my way in from the airport, to cook in my room. My plan is to fill up before we meet at the restaurants, so that I make healthier food choices. Fortunately my son is very supportive of what I am doing, so will not be trying to sabotage. The one other thing I have to be sure of, is having a knife and can opener. Of course I can't take those items on the plane (picture the desperate McDougaller wanting to retain those items on boarding "to chop veggies, to open my beans"...), and I can't be sure the kitchenette will be fully-stocked. LOL I will try not to be too gassy around my son - we can take lots of walks in the fresh air!

The kale-mushroom-potato dish from the Oct Newsletter was great; I will make it again.

Still walking...

Glad the soup was good. Have a safe flight

Well I just read a post left by Sactobob, on Talkingmountain's journal, and it hit home to me, that - using the terminology he almost scathingly employs there, I am a "McDabbler" and my friends "will forgive" my lapses.

Yes, friends, I strayed last night - out for dinner with my son and his partner, even ordering the squash soup and portobello mushrooms, I am guilty of "McDabbling". My son urged me to try a bit of this and that, and yes I did, entranced by how lovely and sweet this formerly surly and defensive teenager was being, to his poor old mom.

Friends, compared to the sort of eating I used to do, I am being a saint. You should have seen me, doggedly eating two apples, two carrots, two celery stalks before heading out to the restaurant. I have lost 29 lbs total, I am more active than previously - so I am doing well. But not perfectly. So according to SactoBob, that is "McDabbling"? What a put-down for those of us who cannot construct the perfect McDougall world. From my readings in these pages, I am struck by how it seems that most men who McDougall, have a wife or family who McDougalls along with them! McDougalling seems easier on the west coast, from the sound of things! And some men seem to get very impatient with women who are unable to perfectly implement all the McDougalling strategies.

hi yomom

You know, one of the perceptions that is out in the "air" about vegans, is the rigidity and lack of joy, or enjoyment, that seems to be how they are. No room for wiggle in THIS lifestyle. Even a little bit of "crazy" for some. And no wonder. We don't let a little thing like pleasure influence us, and that looks, frankly A LEETLE BIT CUCKOO. No wonder the world doesn't embrace this way of eating. we make it look like a bunch of freakin' rules to follow.

After all, food IS more than just fuel to run our machine. It comes with family, friends, feasts, pleasurable activities such as back yard bbq's, beer, wine, delectable and LOVINGLY CREATED desserts, etc. You were feeding your soul, when you enjoyed the foods that your teenage boy was offering you, and that is every bit as important as what you feed your body.

I've seen Jim talk about the 95% vs. the 5%. Dunno if sactobob ever has mentioned that (but I think he has) and I don't know where his diatribe at TM's journal came from...but take it with a grain or two of salt. If you are eating this healthy way for most of your days, and an opportunity for time with friends offers itself where something "illegal" (Lord, can you imagine using a word like that where it comes to FOOD? what is WRONG with this picture?) is served, you are better off receiving that off-plan food with grace and gratitude, than turning it down.

We are much more than our bodies. Our spirits and minds are fed when we enjoy time with people we love, without letting shame in.

Well said, Heidi.

Yomom, thanks for your support at my journal. I'm trying to stay away from tackling the "mcdabbling" comment there head-on, at least for a while. Somehow I doubt it was meant as the kind of put-down that it appeared to be.

How wonderful that you got to enjoy time with your son, and that you are starting to enjoy that new phase of relating to each other as adults rather than parent-child.

Probably won't have much chance to read/post over the next week or so, so here's wishing you an early Thanksgiving!

Hi Yomom McDabbler,
(Just kidding) The path is different for everyone. I’m happy for you and the progress you’ve made both in weight loss and in changing your habits. Hope you’re having a peaceful week.
Letha

Letha, thanks for the awesome flashing Halloween greeting!

As of this morning I have now lost 30 lbs since July. Phew! Considering the Teppanyaki feast I had on Sunday night, with my son and his SO, the one pound loss for the week is good.

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October (earlier harvest) so we are betwikst and between this weekend. Frankly, I am glad to avoid the feasting, not because of turkey, but because of all the other foods, which I have always liked: stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie. I know healthier versions can be made, but I am not up to the tussle with my family on that one, yet.

Oh, I forgot to check the country when I was wishing people happy thanksgiving. Thanks for being such a good sport about it. And congratulations on the 30 pound loss. That is fabulous!
Letha

I am still on-plan. Walked for 2 hours yesterday.

Hope y'all in the US had a good TG day.

Yesterday I had the usual oatmeal breakfast, and then mono-ate "Three Sisters Stew" which I love. Exercise consisted of short walks only.

Tonight we are meeting family for dinner at a restaurant (Indian) for a birthday celebration. Wish me luck!

I got through the dinner at the indian restaurant OK, having eaten two potatoes right before we left for the restaurant, so I wouldn't be hungry. Of course no one noticed the thirty pound weight loss; I lost a different thirty pounds before, and no one noticed that time either.

One of our kids is having a personal crisis, so our stress level has crept up, as we feel sad for that child. To take my mind off this I fired up the rice cooker and made a MWL dish for myself, and pumpkin pie as a treat for our son.

Yomom, it sounds like you're doing great. I hope your child is doing better soon.

sounds like you did great for your dining out at the Indian restaurant. How ironic is it that vegetarian fare such as Indians eat, is so packed with fat? My daughter's Indian boyfriend doesn't pack fat in when he cooks at home, but an Indian restaurant is just GREASY. Wonder why that is?

sorry about your son going through things right now. KIDS! ack!

keep on going. You are doing great, and are an inspiration

Toadfood and Bunsofaluminum, thanks for your kind comments.

Yesterday I made a wild and brown rice and lotsa veggie casserole to mono-eat. I always do better with a go-to food prepared.

I am starting to think about planning holiday meals, as numbers of people staying here will increase, and there will be lots of temptations as everyone but me eats SAD. Normally I can control what comes into the house, but not once my big kids come home. Best is probably to make and freeze lots of legal foods for me to eat: Letha's pictures - all that good food in plastic containers, have inspired me. THEN I will plan the SAD feasts and general meals that will keep the troops happy.